WATERLOO – Wilfrid Laurier University has launched a new Emergency Notification System (ENS) that expands the university’s ability to alert the Laurier community in the event of a significant on-campus safety threat.

The new ENS, purchased from technology provider Benbria, augments Laurier’s existing emergency systems, providing the university with additional channels to communicate with students, staff and faculty at all its campuses and locations.

The ENS is an integrated messaging system that enables the university to:

1. Send an emergency message to the screens of thousands of university computers, locking these computers so that users are prompted to follow the directions provided in the message.

2. Send a text message to every member of the Laurier community who has voluntarily registered their cellphone or mobile number.

3. Send a mass email notification to all staff and faculty accounts (the university is working toward adding student email accounts in future).

The ENS will be activated in the event of a significant safety threat, such as a gunman on campus or an equally urgent and dangerous situation.

“The safety of the Laurier community is a top priority for the university,” said James Butler, vice-president: finance and administration. “Studies indicate that swift and clear communication can save lives in an emergency. Our new Emergency Notification System enhances Laurier’s ability to quickly alert the university community to dangerous situations on campus.”

Members of the Laurier community are encouraged to voluntarily register their cellphone and mobile numbers with the ENS at www.wlu.ca/ens